Olympic??

So - yeah...  the olympics are about to happen.  And don't get me wrong -- I love me some olympic competition...  but the commercialization is getting out right ridiculous.  Below are just some samples of crazy "olympic" items that made me think... really??

Olympic makeup -- for that gold medal face?  Or gold face?  Or metallic face?  I'm not sure about this at all....

The list is a little hygiene focused -- but do people really have odor so bad that they need deodorant that is an olympic champion level to contain it??  That's just NASTY! lol

Weird -- just weird, olympic lotion -- leave that up to your imaginations....

 Okay - this one gets style points -- an olympic ring toss game, and each ring is a different color to match the olympic rings...  this one kinda rocks...

WTF???  Gold metallic crocs with a union jack in the heel strap??  for $50??  BAHAHAHAHA!!!
(and keep in mind I do like my crocs)...  But the oddest thing I've found so far is this:

Olympic dog bag holders and bags....  OLYMPIC.... 

It's like throwing an atom bomb...

So, I've been quietly, for the most part, following the Sandusky stuff since November of last year when the story broke for obvious reasons.  I've discussed some points with some friends, but in reality have just listened, watched, and read the information that's been out there.  Not surprisingly, the Freeh report was unbelievably damning, and am pleasantly surprised at the responsibility Penn State is now taking, albeit they really have no option otherwise.  The attachments included in the report are - if nothing else - shockingly devoid of any concern for the victims.  I've read the report, and while dry, it is eye opening on how callous Paterno and his underlings (and I say underlings b/c we all know Paterno was the shot caller now - check out the link above) truly were.

My point for this long overdue entry is this...  people don't realize how damaging child abuse is.  I told a friend this the other day, and totally stand by it today - when someone sexually molests a child, it's like throwing an atom bomb at that child.  Not only is that child's life forever destroyed from what it was going to be (hence the bomb reference), but every person that child will now ever come into contact with will also have their life affected.  It will affect their parents, their friends, their relationships, their teachers/bosses, their coworkers, the professionals that treat the victims, and on and on.  The destruction doesn't stop with just the victim.  I don't think people really understand that part, because (thankfully so) they have not had to experience it first hand. 

However, I think it's starting to sink in on how truly destructive it can be.  Former Penn State linebacker LaVar Arrington (and someone I now greatly admire for his candor and honesty) wrote from the heart in an op ed piece he wrote for the Washington Post after he realized, in his own words, that he was the bait for Sandusky's victims.  (you can read it here, or here).  This kind of honest, upfront thinking is needed by not just Penn State officials, but by people everywhere.  Nike stepped up too, not waiting for public opinion to dictate it's course.  They removed the name of Joe Paterno from their child care center in Oregon the same day the Freeh report was released.  I might go buy some wrist bands in support (since your shoes are too narrow for my feet). 

Do I think Penn State should take down the JoePa statue -- yes.  Do I think they should fire any and all people remotely involved with this scandal -- yes.  Zero tolerance is the only course to take on this issue.  And if any positive can be drawn from this unbelievable horrific tale -- I hope it is this -- that no person, thing, or ideal is more important than the innocence of a child.  By not holding that line, the destruction for that child, and all who know that child, will be nuclear.

Three Cookie Meditation

My great-grandmother Thelma was probably one of the spunkiest and wisest women I've ever known.  When I'd go visit, she'd always, always give me three cookies.  Never asked her why, she never asked how many I wanted, she just always gave me three.  Today, I know why.

I was confronted with a bit of reality about myself today.  Truth, while sometimes upsetting, can also be freeing.  A chance to reflect, learn, adjust, or in my case, I needed three cookies.  Three soft, chewy not really large but not super small chocolate chip cookies.  Always helps.  Thank you Subway on SW Topeka Blvd!

So as I was eating the first cookie, I began to think about what I was told.  I didn't really like what I was hearing, I didn't really want to identify with the information.  Who were they to put their stuff on me anyway?  I can't worry about always offending people?  What the heck?!?!  I'm just trying to be authentic and me.  Damn that was a freeing cookie.  I think I'll eat another one...

First bite out of the second cookie.  I don't really want to be seen in that light.  Why am I okay with that perception?  Is that REALLY how I want to be known?  What is wrong with me right now?  Why am I so angry?  Why am I willfully spewing meanness?  Why am I hurting my friends' feelings?  And more importantly, why am I not really noticing?  What is THAT all about??  Damn I'm not sure I like this road.  That cookie was nasty...  I need to eat another one...

Slowly taking a bite out of the third cookie.  So yeah, kind of in conflict.  I'm not upset with anyone around me really.  Yet some venom is spilling over.  Where's that negative energy coming from?  I'm going to just focus on that negative energy for awhile, and focus on the cookie.  Not sure where the source is going.  First cookie was too self righteous, almost like it was loaded with denial.  Second cookie was full of self-pity.  Now I can definitely identify with the emotions of my friends, and at the same time understand that this is not exactly who I am.  Something is festering down there, something is trying to pop out, damn the unconscious.  At least I was able to enjoy that third cookie while understanding more work is needed.

Three cookies.  Three perspectives.  Three ways to look at a problem.  I guess even as a small child she knew that I wouldn't be able to look at something objectively unless I got through the third cookie.  Not that I recommend three cookie meditation a lot.  But used sparingly, it can definitely open up your eyes.  Change is needed, now just to figure out how...

I wonder if there is a philosophy involving Cheetos....